Stillingia root and prickly ash bark come from two plants native to North America. Stillingia, also called queen's delight, grows in sandy soils of the South and was used historically for skin and other complaints. Prickly ash, known as the toothache tree, was used by Native American tribes for tooth pain. Clinical research on both is very limited.
What is stillingia?
Stillingia (Stillingia sylvatica) is a perennial plant in the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). Its common names include queen's delight, queen's root and yaw root, according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (MSK).
What does stillingia look like and where does it grow?
A US Geological Survey plant profile describes queen's delight as a native perennial about 0.3 to 1 meter tall, with simple toothed leaves, yellow flowers from May through September and milky sap. It grows in dry woods, sand dunes, old fields, sandy prairies and along streambanks. The 1918 Dispensatory of the United States placed its range in pine barrens from Maryland to Florida and west to Kansas and Texas. The USGS profile also notes that its seeds feed bobwhite quail, other birds and small mammals.
How was stillingia used historically?
The root is the part used. MSK reports that stillingia root was used in traditional medicine for bronchitis, constipation and skin conditions, among other complaints. The 1918 Dispensatory notes that large doses acted as a strong laxative, so herbalists used it in small amounts as part of blends.
What does research say about stillingia?
MSK states that clinical data on stillingia are lacking. The root contains compounds called diterpene esters, which MSK describes as irritants. Reported side effects include:
- Nausea, vomiting and diarrhea
- Dizziness and a burning feeling in the mouth or throat
- Skin itching or rash
- Cough, fatigue, sweating and muscle aches
What is prickly ash?
Northern prickly ash (Zanthoxylum americanum) is a shrub or small tree in the rue family (Rutaceae). The University of Minnesota points out that despite the name, it is not related to true ash trees. It is also called common pricklyash and toothache tree.
What does prickly ash look like and where does it grow?
The University of Minnesota describes it as a colony-forming shrub native to eastern North America. Its stems carry half-inch prickles, its crushed leaves smell like citrus, and its small red capsules each hold a shiny black seed. The USDA plant guide adds that it grows 1 to 8 meters tall along riverbanks, in moist ravines and woods, and on drier rocky hillsides and bluffs. Its greenish yellow flowers open in spring before the leaves.
How did Native American tribes use prickly ash?
The USDA plant guide lists many tribes that used the plant, including the Cherokee, Creek, Iroquois, Ojibwa and Pawnee. The University of Minnesota explains that chewing the bark or fruits produces a numbing effect, which is how it earned the name toothache tree. According to the USDA, people also:
- Packed beaten or powdered bark around an aching tooth
- Made bark infusions for itching skin, swollen joints, back pain, fevers and colds
- Applied a poultice of the inner bark for rheumatism
- Used it for sore throats and sores
An EBSCO research summary adds that the berries were traditionally used for circulation problems.
What does research say about prickly ash?
EBSCO reports that test-tube studies have found antifungal and antibacterial activity in some compounds from the plant. Controlled studies in people have not been done yet. EBSCO also says its safety is not established for young children, pregnant or nursing women, or people with severe liver or kidney disease, and that people with irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease should avoid it.
How do stillingia and prickly ash compare?
| Stillingia | Prickly ash | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Stillingia sylvatica | Zanthoxylum americanum |
| Other names | Queen's delight, queen's root | Toothache tree, common pricklyash |
| Plant type | Perennial forb with milky sap | Prickly shrub or small tree |
| Native range | Maryland to Florida, west to Kansas and Texas | Eastern North America |
| Part used | Root | Bark (berries also used) |
| Best known traditional use | Skin and other complaints | Toothache, circulation |
Where do these herbs appear today?
Both herbs show up mainly in traditional herbal blends. Stillingia root and prickly ash bark are two of the four herbs in Lymphoria Lymphatic Drainage Drops, together with cleavers and red clover. The blend reflects their traditional pairing and is not intended to treat any condition. Check with your healthcare provider before using any herbal product if you have a health condition or take medication. The full formula is on our ingredients page.
Frequently asked questions
Why is prickly ash called the toothache tree?
Chewing the bark or fruits produces a numbing feeling. Native American tribes used it this way to ease tooth pain, according to the University of Minnesota and the USDA.
Is prickly ash related to ash trees?
No. It belongs to the rue family (Rutaceae). The USDA notes that its crushed twigs smell like lemon peel.
Is stillingia safe?
MSK lists possible side effects including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and skin irritation, linked to irritant compounds in the root. Talk with a healthcare provider before using it.
What does queen's delight mean?
Queen's delight is simply a common name for Stillingia sylvatica. It is also called queen's root and yaw root.
Sources
- Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: Stillingia
- US Geological Survey Plant ID: Stillingia sylvatica
- The Dispensatory of the United States of America (1918): Stillingia
- USDA NRCS Plant Guide: Common Pricklyash
- University of Minnesota: Prickly-ash
- EBSCO Research Starters: Prickly Ash's Therapeutic Uses